In a move that’s sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, Australian skipper Pat Cummins has revealed his all-time combined India-Australia ODI XI—and left out two of the biggest names in modern cricket: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The announcement comes as Cummins prepares to sit out the upcoming white-ball series against India due to injury, with Mitchell Marsh stepping in as captain for both the ODI and T20I squads.
While fans expected legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, or MS Dhoni to headline any dream team, few anticipated the omission of Kohli—the highest run-scorer in India-Australia ODIs—and Rohit Sharma, the only player with three double centuries in the format. Cummins, however, stood by his choices, emphasizing balance, match-winning impact, and era-defining performances over sheer statistics.
“Every one of them comes with a story,” Cummins said, echoing a sentiment often used by archivists of legacy—but here, applied to a team built on grit, adaptability, and clutch performances under pressure.
While the full XI hasn’t been officially published in detail, sources close to the Australian camp confirm that the lineup heavily favors players from the 2000s and early 2010s—Australia’s golden era—alongside a select few Indian greats known for dominating Down Under.
Mitchell Starc, who will spearhead Australia’s actual ODI attack in the upcoming series, is a lock in Cummins’ fantasy XI. His lethal yorkers and record-breaking performances in India-Australia clashes make him indispensable. Adam Gilchrist, widely regarded as the greatest ODI wicketkeeper-batsman, anchors the top order, while India’s Yuvraj Singh earns a spot for his heroics in the 2011 World Cup and consistent dominance against Australian bowling.
With Cummins sidelined, all eyes turn to Mitchell Marsh, whose recent white-ball form has been nothing short of spectacular. Marsh’s aggressive batting, handy medium pace, and calm demeanor have made him Cricket Australia’s preferred stand-in leader across formats.
“Mitch has earned this,” said a senior selector. “He’s not just filling in—he’s leading with intent.”
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total ODI Matches (IND vs AUS) | 152 (as of Oct 2025) |
| Australia Wins | 82 |
| India Wins | 67 |
| No Results/Tied | 3 |
| Virat Kohli Runs vs AUS | 2,547 (highest for India) |
| Rohit Sharma Centuries vs AUS | 7 |
Cricket Twitter erupted within minutes of the news breaking. “No Kohli in an India-Australia XI? That’s like making a pizza without cheese,” one fan posted. Others defended Cummins, arguing that dream XIs should reflect match-winners in high-stakes games—not just run accumulators.
Whether you agree or not, one thing’s clear: Cummins’ XI has reignited the fiercest debate in cricket fandom—proving once again that India vs Australia isn’t just a series, it’s a saga.
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